LV post light - how to make this right?

[n8n]

@ GF's place... renter just moved out... post light has never worked.

After his stuff was all moved out I went into his room to tighten some stuff up and found this... 24VAC transformer screwed to wall, with some UF running out to the post light. 2x 12V bulbs in the post light through a photocell, apparently in series. Plug the transformer in, it works fine.

How do I make this mess "right?" I don't like the exposed transformer especially with the cord and plug, is that even legal?

I suspect that this actually is original to the house/development as all houses on the street have similar looking post lights, but seriously, WTF? any ideas greatly appreciated.

 

[justsam]

I think for some, LV means anything goes.
Is this in a closet or in the bedroom somewhere?
I have a LV transformer for lighting use that is up high in a coat closet, larger but similar to what you show it is 120VAC plug ended, with outlet adjacent to it. Lv comes off the back of transformer.
Clearly there are many doorbell, HVAC control transformers, etc. done the same way.
Perhaps build something to cover it all or figure another way to feed the outdoor LV light with transformer in garage.

 

[pattenp]

You could place a large junction box in the wall by the outlet and buy a transformer that can be hardwired and wire it off the outlet. Put on a cover plate and you'd have a clean install.

 

[n8n]

Not sure if wall is deep enough for that... will have to investigate later. Plus JB would need to be something that I could use a nice looking plate on e.g. a 3 gang not a deep 1900 as this will either be a bedroom or home office.

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[tfi racing]

How about a 12v landscape lighting transformer,mount it outside,re-route the lv wires to it and plug it in.Whoever did that originally should find a new hobby.

 

[justsam]

Swap out post lights to LED for lower current.
Get small inverter supply that can be tucked into JB.

 

[n8n]

Any suggestions for drop in LED replacements? The base on the bulbs in there is the same as a 1156 (I think the ones actually in there are a two digit number and 13W though)

I wouldn't mind going that route...

nate

 

[justsam]

I have no experience with 1156 replacements, but do know they are readily available.

One issue may be the electronics for the photocell. I will assume it was designed to operate from 24VAC. I would not put two 12VDC led bulbs in series but want to rewire them in parallel, and run off of 12vdc, but may leave an issue with photocell power.

It starts to seem like more trouble than it is worth, and I wonder if a nice solar power outdoor post light would be the solution and get rid of all the other stuff.

 

[G_P]

Why not just replace the whole light fixture with one that runs on 120v? Then you can ditch the whole transformer setup and just run direct burial wire out to the post and install a dusk/dawn fixture or install a switch in the house to control it.

 

[Mustang51js]

Why not just replace the whole light fixture with one that runs on 120v? Then you can ditch the whole transformer setup and just run direct burial wire out to the post and install a dusk/dawn fixture or install a switch in the house to control it.

That's what I would do. I can't see a lv post light being very bright